MoS2/ZnO-heterostructured optoelectronic synapse for multiwavelength optical information-based sensing, memory, and processing

The rapid development of artificial intelligence and humanoid robots requires hardware-level revolution of synapses-based bionic vision system. However, current optoelectronic synapses featuring multiwavelength sensing and multifunctional processing necessitate intricate integrations of multi-materials and floating gate configurations, which induces complex fabrication process and limited integration density. Here, we propose a novel two-terminal optoelectronic synaptic device based on MoS2/ZnO heterostructure which integrates sense and memory functions and realizes multifunctional optical information processing while circumvents the need of complex configurations. By simultaneously exploiting the photo-adsorption oxygen dissociation property of ZnO and the persistent photoconductivity effect of MoS2, the device demonstrates synaptic capability of four-color perception with a single synaptic event consuming a mere 2.55×10−9 J. Different from the traditional power-density sensitive nociceptor, for the first time photon energy-sensitive nociceptors is developed, which can mimic the process of UV irradiation to the retina leading to fear of visible light. Diverse information processing ability, such as photonic information encryption, associative learning, and logic calculation, was demonstrated in a single device, indicating a practical strategy for facile design for future high integration intensity neuromorphic devices.